UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | Over 20 commercial buildings, predominantly in the Kampala Metropolitan Area, are up for demolition for using the banned steel-timber concrete composite building technology.
Ms Flavia Bwire, Executive Secretary of the National Building Review Board (NBRB), stated that the measure intends to save lives.
“For the existing buildings that were constructed using this method, NBRB is working with local authorities to identify their location and detailed structural integrity assessment will be conducted by registered engineers,” Ms Bwire said.
“Thereafter, the structures that can be retrofitted to bring them into compliance with the Building Control Regulatory framework, shall be strengthened while those that cannot be strengthened will be demolished in accordance with the laws,” she added.
However, the lawyers cautioned that the new rule does not apply retroactively, thus the NBRB cannot demolish structures that were built before the law was gazetted.
According to Bernard Oundo, President of the Uganda Law Society, the board may only utilise its inspection powers under the previous law to demolish the structures that were built in the past to prevent litigation.
According to lawyer Peter Walubiri, any structure erected before the law took effect cannot be demolished unless inspectors find it to be dangerous to the public’s health.
“If people have acquired rights under the existing law, received approvals from the city council, received inspections and perhaps the owner has got full occupation permit from the council and has complied with all building requirements and regulations. It will be illegal to use a new law,” he said.
According to Ms Bwire, all structures evaluated in 2020 are already collapsing.
“We have been to more than 20 buildings that are using this method and none of them is structurally sound,” Ms Bwire said.
She added: “This is meant to save you. We want such buildings to have structural integration assessments. Those that can stand should be left, and those that need retrofitting should be retrofitted to be safe for public use. Those that cannot be retrofitted, we have no option, we are going to bring them down for the good of our nation.”
She stated that the board is concerned about the increased spread of this approach, which is largely employed in Greater Kampala Metropolitan, except for two in Ntungamo and Mbale.
The government prohibited the use of steel-timber concrete composite construction technologies in mid-September of this year 2022, citing structural safety issues, a decision that has since been hailed by engineers in the country.
In a statutory act published on September 19 but officially recognised on September 23, Works Minister Katumba Wamala said: “In exercise of the powers conferred upon the minister responsible for building operations by Section 42 of the Building Control Act, 2013, and after consultations with the National Building Review Board (NBRB) … the use of steel-timber concrete composite building method is not safe and is prohibited in any building operation.”
Engineers applauded the decision in numerous saying that many developers prefer it since it is less expensive than steel-concrete composite technology.
According to the NBRB, business establishments have adopted the riskier strategy, despite attracting large crowds.
According to Ms Bwire, NBRB 2020 conducted research that showed substantial impediments that constituted this building approach dangerous and unsafe, presenting a risk to the public.
According to the report, there is insufficiently trained personnel in design, erection, and construction supervisors.
The board also determined that the lumber is ungraded and its quality criteria are unknown. There are no design standards or guidelines to assist the technology throughout design and execution.
“For the sites that were inspected, none of the drawings were endorsed by professionals and neither was the building permission obtained from the local authority,” Ms Bwire said.
The board intends to form a technical team to carry out the established principles for safe structure design, fabrication, and erection.
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